Snowboard boot binding system

Abstract

A snowboard binding system having a binding plate, the bottom of which is supported on a snowboard. The plate includes a circular opening in its center which receives a disk shaped hold-down plate. The hold-down plate may be secured to the board in several different positions on the board with the binding plate assuming any rotational position with respect to the hold-down plate. Additionally, a highback support attached at the rear of the binding plate may be rotated along an axis generally normal to the binding plate (and therefore the board) and secured in its rotated position, to enable a rider to transmit forces to the snowboard from a variety of stance positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A snowboard binding comprising: a base plate having a front and a rear;   a highback leg support, said leg support being positioned near said rear and extending substantially perpendicular to said base plate and having a forwardly directed surface of substantial area;   said base plate having two sidewalls, said leg support being adjustably connected to each of said sidewalls; and   means for mounting said leg support to said sidewalls for rotational movement about an upright axis generally normal to said base plate while allowing said leg support substantially to retain its shape, said mounting means including means for fixing said highback leg support in its rotational orientation, whereby the rotational orientation of said leg support relative to said base plate may be adjusted and maintained, said surface providing an adjustable support surface at the rear of the user's boot.   
     
     
       2. A binding as in claim 1, wherein said base plate further comprises a side wall, said support being attached to said side wall. 
     
     
       3. A binding as in claim 2, wherein said means for mounting comprises an oblong hole in said sidewall, parallel to said plate, and a releasable fastener through said hole to said support. 
     
     
       4. A binding as in claim 3, further comprising ridges formed on said sidewall around said hole, said ridges being engaged by said fastener. 
     
     
       5. A binding as in claim 1, wherein said two sidewalls merge behind the rear of said leg support to form a heel wall. 
     
     
       6. A binding as in claim 5, wherein said leg support and heel wall are semi-cylindrical and nested. 
     
     
       7. A binding as in claim 1, wherein said support is rotatable about an axis parallel to said plate.